Is a Conveyancer a lawyer?

[Zone2NorthLondon]

Query for all you solicitors
Is it appropriate for a conveyancer to describe themselves as a property lawyer?
The person isn’t a solicitor, no law degree, Not SRA registered. They have a diploma in conveyancing and have described self as a property lawyer

Yep, lawyer isn't a protected term. Anyone dealing with the law is a lawyer.

If they were calling themselves a solicitor or a barrister, that would be a whole different ball game.

Thanks, I presumed lawyer was a protected title. How interesting
The conveyancer popped when I was discussing a house sale, and they described self a property lawyer

Yes a lawyer is simply someone practising law. It includes barristers and solicitors but also legal executives, licensed conveyancers and paralegals. A s stated by the pp it is not a protected term but they would be in trouble if they held themselves out as a solicitor. Indeed as a solicitor without a practising certificate I need to say I am a solicitor (non-practising) on forms etc

Yes, as others have said, "lawyer" is a generic term for anyone practicing law

*practising. Stupid phone!

Thank you for replying, that’s really illuminating
I presumed (erroneously it transpires) that a lawyer is a solicitor. Assumed lawyer is a protected title
The individual emphasises the word play on lawyer, to be clear they have not misrepresented themselves as a solicitor. It’s just the emphasis was on lawyer , property lawyer and I had to direct ask to elicit a response

Out of interest has the law society not sought to make lawyer a protected title?
I know my experience is anecdotal but I think many people think lawyer is same as a solicitor, and that a lawyer has a certain level training eg law degree

You get conveyancers who are excellent though. And some fairly terrible solicitors! (I say that as a solicitor -i head up a team of lawyers who come from a whole range of backgrounds, solicitor is just one route)

Without a doubt I’m sure there are competent paralegals and conveyancers
In this instance I just kind of felt I was being subtly misled by word play and emphasis on term lawyer . I think they knew my erroneous presumption and didn’t spontaneously correct it.

Well I've learned something new today.

I assumed a lawyer would have to be qualified as a lawyer with specific post degree qualifications.

Many people are very snobby about this - many lawyers as equally as experienced and competent as solicitors. But they may be old school and it's only more recently different, cheaper routes to qualification have opened up. Don't discount them because they are not a solicitor.

I say this as a solicitor (non-practising)

I think its a pretty common misconception so I wouldn't feel bad OP!

I'm a Dr in Law, have worked in the commercial law world for over 8 years and I'm not a solicitor. I would describe myself as a lawyer though (although I do make the distinction that I haven't done my solicitor or barrister qualifications, and I'm not a member of the SRA/Bar)

Mmmm me too👍

Fair enough, of course there are practitioners who are excellent conveyancers, paralegals. My issue is I kind of felt misled by omission and reliance upon assumptions. Only when directly asked about training, SRA etc that the individual elaborated further. I also appreciate I’m anecdotally recounting one individual and I don’t generalise regard other conveyancers.

I do think a lot of people think the term lawyer equals solicitor a or barrister with a law degree and registration

You should also ask them about their insurance. I wouldn't want someone acting for me who wasn't regulated or insured. If they aren't a solicitor but are employed by a solicitors' firm that's fine. if they are sole practitioner I'd treat with caution.

@Bleepbloopbluurp I have no intention to use them,they stridently introduced themselves via an acquaintance and told me of their illustrious career as a lawyer. As I’ve said it all felt a bit manufactured and they only elaborated on training when I pressed them on about SRA and training . Have instructed a competent solicitor from a firm whom a solicitor friend recommended

@Zone2NorthLondon Around 50% of solicitors and barristers do not have a law degree. These people used to do a law conversion course. Then further training. However, I’m with you, it’s a bit misleading.

This is what the SRA says.

Yes,that I knew. The PG conversion followed by LpC.
it’s the terminology lawyer I presumed it meant was a solicitor,I genuinely presumed lawyer a protected title. I appreciate the replies, really illuminating

@Zone2NorthLondon I agree with you. Exactly the same issues with the word “engineer”. That is even worse in many ways. It can be used to describe someone who mends a dishwasher or someone who does the structural design for the Burj Khalifa! Obviously the former “engineer” might have no formal engineering education at all, the latter engineer will have a degree in Civil/Structural Engineering, post grad training to be a chartered engineer and many years experience. The latter Chartered Engineer has no protected status at all.

We use language loosely. At least barrister and solicitor are clear enough.

I’m a residential property solicitor working at a licensed conveyancers firm. I’ve seen everything from excellent to poor skills and it doesn’t necessarily matter if the person is a former secretary who has been doing it for 20 years or a partner at a firm of solicitors.

Frightening really isn't it

It's the same as the term accountant, anyone can call themself an accountant

I'm laughing at you leaving a meeting with your boss because you didn't like their attitude!😳